LDS papers offer unvarnished look at Joseph Smith

8:20 PM,
Sep. 5, 2013

Richard Turley, Assistant Church Historian and Recorder, holds one of Joseph Smiths personal documents during a news conference to announce the inaugural release of its 'Documents, Volume 1: July 1828-June 1831,' at the LDS Church History Library, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. The book covers the early days of Mormonism ? including when Smith published the faith's signature scripture, the Book of Mormon, and officially organized the church in 1830 in upstate New York. It includes Smith's 'revelations,' minutes of meetings, letters he wrote, sermons he gave, legal and business documents, and even licenses and receipts ? all arranged in chronological order. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Leah Hogsten) DESERET NEWS OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; MAGS OUT

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PEGGY FLETCHER STACK
Salt Lake Tribune

Critics will find no bombshells in the new 640-page book of early historic documents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but scholars and the faithful will discover a much more complex Mormon founder than they ever knew.

At least that's the hope of the scores of church historians who worked on the book, titled "Documents, Volume 1: July 1828-June 1831," released Wednesday at a news conference in the Church History Library in downtown Salt Lake City.

This book covers the early days of Mormonism - including when Smith published the faith's signature scripture, the Book of ...